Boston Harbor

Boston Harbor is a natural harbor and estuary of Massachusetts Bay, located adjacent to the city of Boston, Massachusetts. It was discovered by English explorer John Smith in 1614, and Boston Harbor became an important port in American history; it was the site of the 1773 Boston Tea Party, one of the major events leading up to the American Revolutionary War. By 1660, almost all imports to New England came through Boston Harbor, which continued to be extremely busy until the 19th century. The health of the harbor quickly decreased as the population of Boston increased, and as early as the 19th century Bostonians were advised not to swim in any portion of the harbor. In 1972, the Clean Water Act was passed to improve the health of the United States' water, and several sanitation projects turned the harbor from one of the filthiest in the nation to one of the cleanest. Today, it is safe for both fishing and swimming.